9 (2019) Review – Rating, Verdict & Box Office | Tollybo
Last updated: 8 May 2026
9 (2019) Review
9 (2019) — a Malayalam fantasy, horror, sci-fi film directed by Jenuse Mohamed. Starring Prithviraj Sukumaran, Alok, Wamiqa Gabbi. When forces within and beyond this world conspire to snatch his son away, a father resolves to do whatever it takes to protect him. Our Rating: 2.75/5. Verdict: AVERAGE. Released: 22 Feb 2019. Runtime: 2h 39m.


9(2019)
Malayalam · Fantasy, Horror, Sci-Fi
2h 39m · 22 Feb 2019
Music: Shaan Rahman | DOP: Abinandhan Ramanujam | Writer: Jenuse Mohamed
Ratings
Our Rating
2.75
📖 Story
Set in a post-apocalyptic world, '9' follows the journey of a man named Shiva who wakes up in a deserted city with no memory of his past. As he navigates through the ruins, he discovers a mysterious child and together they face various dangers while uncovering the truth behind the catastrophe that wiped out humanity. The story blends elements of science fiction and thriller, exploring themes of survival, hope, and human connection in a bleak future.
The movie '9' presents an intriguing concept with its post-apocalyptic setting and a storyline centered around survival and mystery. The screenplay attempts to balance action and emotional depth, though the pacing tends to lag in the first half, making the buildup somewhat slow. The second half picks up momentum with more intense sequences and revelations that keep the audience engaged.
The narrative is supported by competent cinematography that effectively captures the desolate environment, enhancing the film's atmospheric tension. The songs are minimal but well-placed, complementing the mood without disrupting the flow. Shaan Rahman's music direction and background score play a crucial role in building suspense and emotional resonance throughout the film.
Overall, while the film's ambitious premise is commendable, the execution falters occasionally due to uneven pacing and underdeveloped characters. However, the technical aspects and the gripping climax provide a satisfying experience for fans of the genre.
Prithviraj Sukumaran: Strong and intense, effectively portraying the protagonist's struggle and determination.
Alok: Convincing as the mysterious child, adding emotional depth to the narrative.
Wamiqa Gabbi: Adequate, though limited screen time restricts impact.
Prakash Raj: Solid supporting role, bringing gravitas to the story.
Mamta Mohandas: Brief but impactful presence.
💪 Strengths & Weaknesses
Strengths
- ✓Unique post-apocalyptic concept
- ✓Strong lead performance by Prithviraj Sukumaran
- ✓Effective cinematography capturing the bleak setting
- ✓Engaging background score by Shaan Rahman
- ✓Gripping climax and second half
Weaknesses
- ✕Slow pacing in the first half
- ✕Underdeveloped supporting characters
- ✕Occasional narrative inconsistencies
🎬 Direction & Writing
Jenuse Mohamed delivers a visually compelling film with a fresh concept, though the direction sometimes struggles with pacing and character development. The writing is ambitious but could have benefited from tighter editing and deeper exploration of the story's themes.
📰 Critic Reviews
, with Dasara, he impressed with a major Oora Mass role in Dasara. The audience loved it due to the intensity in the performance and the depth in writing. These roles click when there is an emotional connection with them. However, if that’s not there, despite the magic in conceiving and the hero’s efforts, the result i…
పరిణీతి చోప్రా ప్రధానమైన పాత్రను పోషించిన వెబ్ సిరీస్ 'షాక్: ట్రస్ట్ నో వన్'. స్వప్న మల్హోత్రా - సిద్ధార్థ్ మల్హోత్రా సంయుక్తంగా నిర్మించిన ఈ సినిమాకి, రెన్సిల్ డిసిల్వా దర్శకత్వం వహించాడు. హిందీలో రూపొందిన ఈ సిరీస్, తెలుగుతో పాటు ఇతర భాషల్లోను ఈ నెల 24వ తేదీ నుంచి 'నెట్ ఫ్లిక్స్'లో స్ట్రీమింగ్ అవుతోంది. మిస్టరీ థ్రి…
Kalki 2898 AD is a world-building film that mixes sci-fi and dystopian future with mythology. Nag Ashwin excels in writing characters and conflict. Though the initial part of the film is a little slow, he ups the ante in the 2nd half which is filled with action sequences. Climax of the film is good with interesting rev…
📰 Ratings Sources
| Source | Rating |
|---|---|
| 2 | |
| 2.25 | |
| 2.5 | |
| 3 | |
| 3.25 |
Our Rating
💰 Box Office Collection
No collection data available yet.
🏛️ Centers & 🏅 Awards
No centers data available.
No awards data available.
😊 Sentiment Breakdown & 🧠 Critics
| Type | Value |
|---|---|
| Positive | 40% |
| Neutral | 35% |
| Negative | 25% |
Critics
Critics praised '9' for its innovative premise and strong technical execution, especially highlighting Prithviraj's performance and the film's atmospheric visuals. However, many noted the slow pacing and lack of depth in supporting characters as drawbacks. The film was considered a commendable attempt in the Malayalam sci-fi genre but fell short of being a complete success.
Final Box-Office Result
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
When did 9 release in theatres?▾
9 released on 22 February 2019 (2019).
Is 9 a hit or flop?▾
9 is declared a AVERAGE at the box office.
Where to watch 9 online? OTT release date?▾
9 OTT release date not announced yet.
Who directed 9?▾
9 directed by Jenuse Mohamed. Produced by Supriya Menon, Prithviraj Sukumaran.
Who are the main cast members of 9?▾
9 stars Prithviraj Sukumaran, Alok, Wamiqa Gabbi, Prakash Raj, Mamta Mohandas.
What is the Tollybo rating for 9?▾
Tollybo rates 9 2.75/5. Verdict: AVERAGE.
Who composed the music for 9?▾
Music for 9 composed by Shaan Rahman.
What is the genre and runtime of 9?▾
9 — Genre: Fantasy, Horror, Sci-Fi, Runtime: 159 minutes, Language: Malayalam.
